4.3.5 Another Look at the Data: Distribution of a State’s SQG Facility Scores

At 9.28 and 9.25 respectively, Connecticut’s and Maine’s observed mean SQG facility scores on regulatory indicators was virtually the same, and indicated that facilities are in compliance with more than 90% of the applicable requirements. From this information alone one might conclude that SQG performance was equivalent in the two states. The histograms below, which show the percent of inspected facilities in each state that achieved a given facility score, provide a different perspective. 76% of the Connecticut SQGs had a score of 10 (meaning they were in compliance with all applicable regulatory indicators) while 56% of the Maine SQGs had a perfect score. On the other hand, all of the Maine SQGs had scores of 7 or above (meaning they all were complying at least 70% of the applicable indicators), whereas 11% of Connecticut SQGs had scores below 7. In light of such data, a state might ask itself whether it needs to take steps to address a small pocket of “poor” performance, or a state might ask itself whether it should implement strategies to increase the percentage of facilities achieving “perfect” scores. See Appendix M for histograms for each state’s facility scores for “all,” “regulatory” and “beyond compliance” indicator groups.

Connecticut

Maine

75%

60%

45%

30%

15%

0%

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

75%

60%

45%

30%

15%

0%

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

4.4 EXPLORATION OF STATE ACTIVITIES INFLUENCE ON SQG PERFORMANCE RESULTS

4.4.1 Introduction

Overall the mean SQG facility scores for regulatory indicators were relatively high across states and ranged from 7.99 to 9.53 (taking into account confidence intervals). No state felt the overall results were cause for serious concern, but nevertheless warranted consideration of options for improvement in particular areas (this can be seen by looking at achievement rates for individual indicators):